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Haugan sets new record in Bainbridge council campaign fundraising

Richard "Dick" Haugan has broken the record for the amount of money raised in a race for the Bainbridge Island City Council.

Haugan, a candidate for the North Ward, Position 7 seat against Val Tollefson, has raised $19,720 for his campaign, according to reports on file with the Public Disclosure Commission, a state agency that serves as a watchdog on campaign financing.

The previous record in campaign fundraising was $17,849, and was set by Nezam Tooloee in his 2003 campaign for an at-large seat on the Bainbridge council.

Tollefson previously led in the fundraising race. So far, Tollefson has raised $12,305 for his campaign.

Haugan's campaign coffers got a boost from a recent fundraising letter sent to voters on Bainbridge Island where the first-time candidate vowed to be a crucial swing vote on the council. He also promised to derail the city's recent update to its Shoreline Master Program.

"I know you can beat city hall, but you need money to do it," Haugan said in the three-page appeal for donations. "If $25 feels right, would you dig a little deeper and find $50? If $50 is comfortable, why not donate $100. The maximum allowed by law is $900 per person, so don't send more than that."

According to contribution reports filed by Haugan's campaign, the candidate has raised more than $4,000 since the fundraising letter was sent out.

Haugan has received 13 donations of $500 or larger, according to the Public Disclosure Commission, with seven donations at the $900 level.

He has also pulled in 42 donations of $50 or below.

Tollefson, his opponent, has received seven donations of $500 or larger, including two donations of $900. Tollefson has also received 25 donations of $50 or lower.

All of Tollefson's donations have come from individual donors.

Haugan has received two trust fund donations that total $400, as well as $1,400 from special interest groups; $900 from the Affordable Housing Council of the Home Builders Association of Kitsap County, and $500 from the Kitsap County Association of Realtors.

The rest of Haugan's donations have come from individual donors.

In other council races, Roger Townsend is outpacing Cheryl McComb in fundraising for the South Ward, District 3 seat.

McComb has raised $100, while Townsend has collected $8,543 for his campaign.

Wayne Roth has raised $4,684 for his race for the Central Ward, Position 5 seat.

Arlene Buetow, his opponent, does not expect to raise or spend more than $5,000 in the race, and so is not required to file contribution and expenditure reports with the Public Disclosure Commission.

A review of her campaign books before the Primary Election showed Buetow had raised $2,000 for her race by that point; a $1,500 loan she made to her campaign and a $500 contribution from the Kitsap County Association of Realtors.

Contributions to other candidates have largely been from individual donors, with a few exceptions.

Townsend also received a $900 donation from the Affordable Housing Council of the Home Builders Association of Kitsap County, and $500 from the Kitsap County Association of Realtors. He also received $250 from the law firm of Focal, $100 from Morehead Farms of Westerville, Ohio and $50 from La Salle Street Partners.

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